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Title 



Imprint. 



The Americsui Pet Stock 



Standard of Perfection 



AND 



Official Guide 



OF THE 



American 
Fur Fanciers' Association 



Covering all Varieties of 
Rabbits, Cavies (guinea pigs) and Mice 



The American Pet Stock 



Standard of Perfection 



AND 



Official Guide 



OF THE 



American 
Fur Fanciers' Association 



Compiled by 

J. HENRI WAGNER, President 

American Fur Fanciers' Association 

1915 



Copyright 1915 
By the American Fur Fanciers' Association 



OCT 14 1915 

©CI,A414013 



t\ 

6 ,^1. 



FOREWORD 

The imperative need by everyone who may be interested 
in fancy pets for an authoritative publication presentins^ a 
definite standard of perfection for their guidance in intelli- 
gently striving- for the "ideal" animal, has promj^ted The 
American Fur Fanciers' Association to offer to pet stock- 
fanciers this Guide. 

The information contained herein has been compiled from 
noted works on pet stock, specialty clubs, and other asso- 
ciations of prominent men and women who have devoted 
a goodly portion of their life work to perfecting animals up 
to that standard which man believes Nature should have 
adopted in its natural law of selection. 

Without some description, the novice would have diffi- 
culty in comprehending the relative points designated for 
the several component parts which go to make up the 
IDEAL of each variety. Under each variety, therefore. 
may be found such information as should tend to give the 
novice a clearer conception of those points which need care- 
ful observance in the breeding of fancv pets for exhibition 
purposes. 

The collection of ph(^tographs from which the illustra- 
tions were reproduced are believed to be some of the finest 
obtainable, and while many of them appear to be nearly 
perfect, as to markings, etc., it should be understood that 
they are offered, not as the IDEAL, but as a guide to the 
novice, so that he may the better picture in his mind the 
standard of points provided for each variety. 

It is to be regretted that in former years fanciers did not 
maintain more perfect records of their experiments that 
the fancy might know just how and by what crosses the 
various l)reeds have been evolved. It is therefore neces- 
sary for the novice to associate himself with the more 
learned fanciers l)y joining the Pet Stock Association, which 
furnishes gratis a subscription to its offfcial magazine, so 
that he may be saved the years of time alreadv spent in 
perfecting our fancy pets. 

The Association expresses its appreciation to all who 
have so generously rendered assistance in this work, es])e- 

I 



cially to those who, by their perseverance, have assisted in 
evolving the many new varieties of pet stock which grace 
our show benches. It is to these FANCIERS that THE 
AMERICAN FUR FANCIERS' ASSOCIATION dedicates 

THE AMERICAN PET STOCK STANDARD 

OF PERFECTION AND OFFICIAL 

GUIDE. 



OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF GOVERNING 
BOARD FOR 1915 

President — J. Henri Wagner, 1909 North Capitol Street, 
Washington, D. C. 

First Vice-President — Albert G. Sherwood, 59 Main 
Street, Nyack, New York. 

Second Vice-President — T. A. Martin, Jr., Freeport, Long 
Island, New York. 

Secretary-Treasurer — John Ruckstuhl, Jr., 115 Hague 
Street, Jersey City Heights, New Jersey. 



Specialty Representatives 

Fancy Rabbits — F. V. Kellogg, Closter, New Jersey. 

Belgian Hares — H. K. Filor, West Haverstraw, New 
York. 

Fancy Mice — S. Chichester Lloyd, 51^ Sumpter Street, 
Brooklyn, New York. 

Smooth Cavies — Henry A. Regel, 311 North Forty-second 
Street, Camden, New Jersey. 

Peruvian Cavies — Miss B. Hendrickson, Rockville Cen- 
ter, Long Island. 

Abyssinian Cavies— Dudley Coakley, 369 Main Street, 
Waltham, Massachusetts. 



THE FANCY RABBIT 

We learn from Mr. Georg-e A. Townsend, the English 
Judge and Author, that the first exhibition of fancy rabbits 
on record was held at Gravesend, in 1859, when classes were 
provided for Lops only. Slowly, but steadily, the fancy 
rabbit grew in popularity among the sportsmen until 1888, 
when the United Kingdom Rabbit Club was formed. From 
this time the fancy grew by leaps and bounds, many spe- 
cialty clubs springing up all over the world to foster the 
several \arieties. These clubs were organized principally 




ENGLISH LOP RABBIT (Baker Brothers) 

to ])r<)m()te the fancy, provide exhi])itions in various sec- 
tions of tlie country, and draw u]) standards for the guid- 
ance of the fancier. Crude as were the several breeds when 
first appearing on the show l)ench, they have been developed 
through the medium of patient and persevering efifort until 
ni)w we have a collection of the rarest specimens of animal 
of life which imagination can de])ict. 

3 



ENGLISH LOP 

The origin of the Lop Rabbit (commonly known as the 
"Lop Ear Rabbit") is not known, although it can be traced 
back a hundred years. In 1859 fancy rabbit societies existed 
throughout England, the only breed at that time appearing 
on the show bench being the Lop. Twenty inches was con- 
sidered extremely long for the ears of the Lop of the 
seventies ; while to this day twenty-eight inch ears are not 
uncommon. Width of ear has also been one of great ad- 
vancement, the best of today measuring seven and one-half 
inches. 

In the early age of the Lop fancy much attention was 
paid to the color of the rabbit, but during recent years so 
much stress has been laid to the length and width of ear 
that the matter of color development has been sadly neg- 
lected. 

There are the "Selfs," comprising Black, Blue Grey, Sooty, 
Sooty Fawn, and Golden Fawn ; and the "Broken" colors, 
which consist of Black and White, Blue and White, Grey 
and White, Fawn and White, and Tortoise and White. 
The "Self" colors should be absolutely free from white or 
any other than the "self color" hairs which make up the 
color. White toes, white star on forehead, or white (putty) 
nose are defects which warrant severe cuts as demerits in 
competition. 

In the "Broken" colors the head should be self-colored, 
with the exception of a white star on the forehead. The 
saddle covers practically the whole of the body except the 
shoulders, which should have two or three patches or spots 
of white. The underneath parts of the Lop, from jaws to 
thighs, should be white, as well as all four feet, but the 
white visible on the top portion of the Lop should not be 
too prominent. 

The study of color breeding in the Lop is one of the deep- 
est interest and much discretion is necessary to produce 
correct color coincident with ear measurement and size of 
dew-lap, which latter characteristic is also a very important 
feature of the Lop. 



STANDARD OF POINTS 

* S . L . C . 

EAR Length 15 

EAR Width 15 

SUBSTANCE AND SHAPE, i.e.. strong, 
stout and clear of blemishes, the tip wide 

and round, not pointed 5 

SHAPE AND CARRIAGE of rabbit 10 

COLOR AND MARKINGS of rabbit 15 

CONDITION 10 

STRAIGHT FEET AND TAIL 10 

EYE, CLEAR AND BOLD 10 

SIZE AND WEIGHT, large as possible 10 



* S. L. C.^Specific Length Classes. 

* A. L. C.=Any Length Classes. 



A.L.C. 



5 

5 

10 

ID 
10 
10 




FRENCH LOP RAB T (Henry A. Regel) 

FRENCH LOP 
STANDARD OF POINTS 



EARvS — Length 16 to 18 inches 20 

HEAD — Short and thick 10 

EYES — Large and bold 5 

BODY — Large and slightly arched, does to have dewlap.. .. 15 

5 



LEGS AND FEET— Straight and heavy-boned lo 

SIZE AND WEIGHT— To be as great as possible; does 13 

pounds; bucks 12 pounds 30 

CONDITION— Flesh firm, coat smooth 10 

DISQUALIFICATION: Permanent wry tail or feet. 




BELGIAN HARE RABBIT (Geo. A. Townsend Practical Rabbit Keeping) 

BELGIAN HARE 

This variety is referred to as the "Beltiian Hare." Intt. 
except as regards similarity of tvpe, it has no pretensions 
to be a hare. The Belgian in the early years of the fancy 
was a very large rabbit, in color resembling the wild English 
Hare, having black hairs to produce a "ticked" effect and 
ear lacing. The Belg'ian of today resembles the wild hare 
in body, limbs, head and ears ; bold, clear, eye ; but a color 
of rich golden tan, broken only by wavy ticking peculiar to 
no other variety. 

It has been asserted that the variety originated in Bel- 
gium or in Germany, and that in the early stages of develop- 

6 



ment it was crossed with other giant varieties to produce 
size and weight. Forty years ago the "dew-lap" was 
required in the Belgian, but as type progressed the dew-lap 
was discarded as faulty and is now prohibited. The de- 
mand today is for golden tan color all over the rabbit's 
body, belly, head, ears, flanks and feet. The head should 
be long and narrow, legs straight and fine in bone. Length 
of body is desirable, as it shows up beautifully on a well- 
matured Belgian of the standard weight, eight pounds. The 
"ticking" or black-tipped hairs scattered profusely over the 
rabbit, presenting a wavy appearance, is a strict require- 



4— LACING 




HAUNCHES 



IDEAL BELGIAN HARE TYPE. 

SHOWING THE REQUIRED SHAPE AND STYLE. 

(Fur und Feather) 

ment. Other than this there are no markings to breed for, 
practically everything depending on shape and color for 
the making of the true type of a winning Belgian. Its con- 
dition, as the standard prescribes, should manifest plenty 
of flesh and muscle, healthy skin, and the coat lying close 
to the body, of silky texture and shining bright as a mirror. 
The abdomen should hang very little lower than the chest, 
and when the rab1)it is at "attention" plenty of space should 

7 



be seen between the fore and hind legs. This "style" can 
be produced principally by handling, grooming, the use of 
hurdles in hutches or runs, to prevent the rabbit from be- 
coming "baggy" or "squatty" in shape. It likewise hardens 
the muscle and increases the length of limb and body. 

"Flakey" feet or white hairs in the coat of the Belgian 
constitute imperfections that should be strongly cut in judg- 
ing. 

STANDARD OF POINTS 

COLOR — Rich Rufus Red (not dark smudgy color), carried 
well down sides and hindquarters, and as little white un- 
der jaws as possible 20 

SHAPE — Body long, thin, well-tucked-up flank, and well- 
ribbed up. back slightly arched, loins well rounded, not 
choppy, head rather lengthy, muscular chest, tail straight, 
not screwed (either temporarily or permanently), and 

altogether a racy appearance 20 

TICKING — Wavy in appearance and plentiful 10 

EARS — About five inches long, thin, well laced on tips, and 
as far down outside edges as possible, good color inside 

and outside and well set on 10 

EYES — Hazel color, large, round, bright and bold ID 

LEGS AND FEET — Fore feet and legs long, straight, slen- 
der, well-colored and free from white bars; hind feet 

well colored 10 

WITHOUT DEWLAP 10 

SIZE AND WEIGHT— About eight pounds 5 

CONDITION— Healthy, not fat. but flesh firm like a race- 
horse, and a good quality of fur 5 

SILVER 

Silver Grey, Silver Fawn, Silver Brown 

There are three classes of vSilver Rab])its, as above indi- 
cated. 

Divers theories have been advanced regarding the origin 
of the Silver Grey. One is that it was developed from the 
English wild grey rabbit, known as the "Silver Sprig," 
another that it was imported from Siam because of its fur- 
bearing quality. It was first placed on exhibition about 
i860, but it was not until 1899 that the Silver Club of 
England was fc^rmed for the purpose of pushing the Silver 
Fancy. 

The Silver Grey, like the other Silvers, should be lively 
and bright in disposition ; the silvering should be neither 

8 



lii^ht. nt)r dark, l)ut medium, i^hort coated ral:»l)its are usu- 
ally the most ideal in bright and sharp silvering" — white 
hairs intermixed with the colored hairs — the ground color 
being a rich l)lue-black. Rustiness should be avoided. This 
is most frequently noticed on the haunches and inside the 
fore feet. Particular attention should be paid to the even- 
ness of silvering- on the feet, cheeks, jaws and whisker-beds. 
The ears should be neat in shape and not too long. The 
silvering shovild extend evenly over the whole furred por- 
tion of the ears, right up to the edges, and of exactly the 



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SILVER FAWN RABBIT ( Bell and Healon ) 

same shade of the body. The cla\\ s should match the body 
color, and while white claws are not a disqualification, they 
should be heavily penalized in competition. While the tail 
is usually darker than the l)ody, it is desiralile and ad\an- 
tageous to strive to match the body. 

The Silver Fawn, once known as the Silver Cream, is 
thought to have originated in France. As the Fawn has 
been made by crossing se\eral varieties, uniformity and 
e\enness of color are difficult to attain. This is equally 
true with Browns. The color, or shade, is difficult to de- 

9 



scribe, l)ut is sometimes named "silver-orange." "Putty- 
noses," disqualification ; barred feet, smudgy face, and bad 
undercolor should be avoided in all of the Silvers and 
heavily penalized. 

The Silver Brown is also a "made" rabbit and was pro- 
duced after the Fawn. It is sui)posed to l)e a cross between 




IDEAL SILVER GREY RABBIT (Fur and Feather) 

a Silver Grey Buck and a Belgian Doe, and recrossed with 
a Grey Buck for the silvering. The brown should be void 
of the blue cast to the color which is often noticed. It is 
made up of. four distinct colors — slate-blue, brown, black, 
and white — the white being the silvering and the black the 

10 



licking-. Tlic slatc-l)luc should start at the nxit of the fur, 
extendino- halfway up each hair, the end being a bright, 
rich chestnut color. No pale blue or white color should 
be visible when the fur is turned back with the fingers. 
The hind feet should match the fore feet. Avoid a coarse, 
baggy rabbit, with long coat and ears. 

STANDARD OF POINTS 

I'NDERCOLOR— GREY— Deep, rich bhie-black: 

FAWX — Deep, bright orange, free from brick color; 

BROWN — Deep, rich chestnut 25 

SILVERING— Even throughout 20 

TICKING— Sharp, even and bright 15 

COAT— Short and full 15 

EARS — Neat and well set on, and 

EYES— Bold and bright 10 

CONDITION AND SHAPE— Flesh firm and free from ba.y- 

giness: weight about six pounds 15 




ENGLISH RABBIT (Geo. A. To wnsend- Practical Rabbit Keeping) 



ENGLISH 



The English is one of the most recently "made" varieties. 
Tt was undoul)tedly started from the common English or 
"Buttertiy Smut" rabbit. It made its appearance on the 
show l)ench about 1890 under the name of "English" rabl)it. 

11 



In its early stages the English rabbit was a l^lack rabbit, 
with splashes of white. The present-day English is white, 
with clear, definitely placed markings and spots. The 
markings were not standardized until 1891 when the Na- 
tional English Rabbit Club was formed. It is conceded 
by all fanciers that the English rabbit has made more rapid 
strides towards ])erfection than any other variety, in spite 
of the fact that more points are necessary to be sought for 
than any other variety of rabbit. In addition to shape and 
color, which are the principal requirements in most varie- 
ties, we have the beautiful markings distributed all over 
the animal in such a manner as to create quite a sensation 
to the eye and a most enjoyable treat for both novice and 
layman to behold. 

The Englisli of the past generation was known as "But- 
ter.*Iy vSmut," which it is supposed derived its name from 
the butterfly-shaped nose, the tail portion extending up 
the fore face, exactly in the middle, while the wings extend 
to the sides of the nose, but not quite to the lower lip or 
jaw. The "butterfly" should be absolutely solid in color 
and should ha\e no stray colored hairs. 

The spots encircling the eyes should be about the size of 
a half-dollar, whereas the cheek-spots should be about half 
the size of a dime, and clear from the eye circles. 

The ears should be neat and free from white hairs, and 
not over four inches in length. 

The remaining part of the head, up to the base of the 
ears, should l)e perfectly white and free from any stray 
colored hairs. 

The saddle should consist of an unbroken colored streak, 
beginning with a narrow stripe at the base of the ears, and 
should gradually widen towards the center of the back 
where the width should be the greatest, and finish with a 
very narrow stripe at the end of the tail. The edges of the 
saddle should be ragged, which is commonly known as 
"herring-boned."' 

The body and loin markings are divided into three parts 
and are defined as follows : 

1. The body markings are those connecting the end of 

12 



the chain with the loin spots and sht)ulcl he equally dis- 
tributed in small spots below the saddle. 

2. Loin markintis furnish the hind quarters of the rabbit 
and should not exceed the size of a ten-cent piece. 

3. The chain commences with a single spot about the 
size of a pea below and back of the ear. gradually increasing 
in size and number until they join the loin spots, where they 
should be the largest, and then diminish in size again to- 
wards the end of the loins. 

The other parts of the body, shoulders and chest should 
be eitirelv free from markinos. 



TMC MOit fORH 
duTItRFLY 



tosmc BONt otriwTtoK 




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wiNt or fti/TTtorLY / 
/5/^ « FCATHCR 






CHAIN MABH1N<.^ 



BODY MABKINCO 1.0IH MARKINS* 



IDEAL ENGLISH RABBIT (Fur and Feather) 

STANDARD OF POINTS 

Head Markings 

NOSE^Perfect butterHy sn.ut 15 

EYE — Circle around each eye 8 

Spots to be clear from eye circle 5 

EARS — Neat and free from white hairs, and not more than 

four inches in length 5 

Body Markings 

NEAT SADDLE, to be herring-boned and clear in any solid 

color 10 

SIDES OF BODY to be evenly patched with spots which 

should not touch saddle 12 

CHAIN MARKINGS, as even as possible on each side 12 

13 



LEG MARKINGS, one distinct spot on each le,t;; front 

S points, hind 2 points 7 

BELLY or teat SPOTS, six in number 6 

COLOR 10 

SIZE AND SHAPE, six to eight pounds and between Silver 

and Belgian 5 

CONDITION, good coat and firm in flesh 5 

DISQUALIFICATION: Putty noses. 

DUTCH 

The Dutch rabbit orii^inated in Holland, where it was 
bred principally for table purposes, little attention being- 
given to color stops until the fancy took the breeding 
of the Dutch, and today it is claimed to be the most 
popular breed in that country. The Dutch is bred in five 
standard colors : Black, Blue, Tortoise, Steel or Dark Grey, 
and Light Grey. Occasionally may be seen Blue-Greys, 
Blue Fawns, and Yellow. 




DUTCH RABBIT (Henry A. Resel) 



Seventy ])oints out of a hundred are allotted to color and 
color-stops. It is manifest therefore that the color is the 
principal feature to breed for. 

The blaze is that part of the white marking on the head 
which comes down the center of the face, dividing the 
cheeks. It should come through the ears and gradually 
widen as it gets down the face, being wedge-shaped. 

The cheek markings should come down close to the whis- 
ker beds, but not touch them, and run along the edge of the 
jaw and around the base of the ears. They should be round 
and void of any stray white hairs on the edge of the jaw. 

14 



Tlie length of the ears should be in proportion to the 
body, neatness being the principal factor. 

The collar is the white fur between the neck and the 
saddle. 

The saddle is the point where the collar ceases and the 
colored fur begins on the upper part of the body, which 
should be just behind the shoulders and should go in a 
perfectly straight line around the body, more than one-half 
of the body being colored. The undercut is the under part 
of the body, and is a continuation of the saddle, which 
should run close behind the fore legs, but not touch them. 
The colored portion of the body should extend from the 
saddle marking over the hind quarters and tail, stopping 
about one and a half inches from the toes, the remainder 
of each foot being white. Both feet should be exactly 
alike ; the division should run all around the foot. 



CHEEK MARKINGS 
NOSTRILS 



FORE HEAD 



SIOC OF SADDLE 




UNDER CUT \ VoOT STOP 



EDGE OF JAW COLLAR HIND' FOOT 

IDEAL DUTCH MARKED RABBIT (Fur and Feather) 



The ooliir of the iris in the eye of the Dutch should be 
as nearly of the shade of the color of the rabbit as possible, 
and should be free of specks or discoloration. Disqualifi- 
cation : Small specks on eyes, discolored or wall eyes. 
Distinct spots in the white portions, or flesh markings, and 
if the rabbit weighs over five and a half pounds, should be 
hea\ih- penalized. 

15 



As to size and shape, the Dutch may be described as 
small and cobby ; the body short, neat and compact, with 
the head in proportion. The coat should be sleek and 
bright. 

STANDARD OF POINTS 

BLAZE AND CHEEKS 15 

NECK, clean 10 

SADDLE 10 

UNDERCUT 10 

FEET STOPS 15 

EARS, proportionate to size of body 10 

EYES, clear and free from defects and color of body mark- 
ing 5 

COLOR, sound and level 10 

SIZE, not to exceed 5^ pounds; SHAPE, cobby; CON- 
DITION, firm 15 




HAVANA RABBITS (Geo. A. Townsend Practical Rabbit Keeping) 

HAVANA 

The Ha\ana. like many of the other \arieties. derived its 
color through accidental l)reedin,i;-. While some have l)e- 
lieved that it originated in France, one authority states that 
it was bred in 1898 from 1)lack and white marked ctmimon 

16 



taljle ral)l)ils in Iltilland. 'I'lie\' did iidt, howexer. become 
\ei"v jiopular until 1910. wlien the Ent^lisli fanciers tonK 
liold oi the J lavana and when the Crystal Palace Slmw had 
a lar^e class of Havanas. 

The Havana is brown all o\-er, including the belly, the 
pale grey undercolor beint;- only at the l)ase of the fur next 
to the skin and therefore not \isible unless the fur is 
parted with the fingers. It is lively, active and very shy. 
The color is very susceptible to fading when kept in the 
sunlight, or in continuous damp weather, when the l)rown 
fades into a reddish color and becomes patchy. White 
hairs on the back or on ears; and failing in color on chest, 
sides of body and hind legs should be heavily penalized. 

STANDARD OF POINTS 

CnL()R — A rich, lirijiht l:>r<)wn all over, witii undercoat of 

pale grey ^ 30 

SHAf'E .\XD SIZE — Exceedingly line and elegant, sonie- 
what like the Black and Tan, head and neck medium: 
weight, when full grown, not to exceed 55^ pounds 30 

EARS — Four inches long, line in substance, small, straight 

and carried upright 10 

FEET — Very slender and straight, with brown toenails.... jo 

EYES- — Large, the color of the fur, showing a red light in 

pupil, yet having a soft and gentle expression 5 

COAT — Short, fine and silky 10 

CONDITION— Healthy, clean, tirm in Hesh 5 

POLISH 

Several sources of origin ha\e l^een accredited to the 
Polish rabbit, but they are all merely matters of conjecture. 
It is believed, however, that its existence is due to a few 
of England's most prominent fanciers who entered the 
Polish in the shows about 1884. The most perfect speci- 
mens are said to have emanated from the Dutch rabbit. It 
is "an all quality" raljbit, void of the slightest suspicion 
of coarseness. It should weigh between 2J/2 and 3j^ 
pounds, fine and neat body, and alert. The coat must be 
short and very fine in texture and lie very close and tight. 
The Polish should be short and plump; ears fine, thin, neat, 
nicely rounded, and coxered with line, short fur; head 

17 



narrow and rac\- lookinL', with ears carried erect. The eyes 
should be bri,<;ht, bokl and l)lood color, while the feet and 
limbs should be neat, ct)mpact and free from coarseness. 
It should l>e pure white and of olossy a])pearance. 




POLISH RABBITS (Geo. A. Townsmd- Practical Rabbi; Keeping! 



STANDARD OF POINTS 

SH.\I'1<". AXD SIZl-; — Xe;it. compact and spriRhtly; weight 
^Vz to 3V2 pounds 

COAT — Fine, close and sliort 

COLOR— I'ure white 

ICARvS — Short, line, well rounded, and covered, to touch all 
the way up without showing Hange 

EYES — Bright, hold, and as near hlood red as possil)le 

CONDTTTON 




IDEAL HEAD OF POLISH RABBIT, SHOWING CORRECT EARS 

I Geo. A Townsend — Practical Rabbit Keeping* 

HIMALAYAN 

The Himalayan has been found in the countries lying- 
north and south of the Himalayan Mountains, and for that 
reason many people are of the belief that it oriHnated there. 




HIMALAYAN RABBIT (Geo A Townsend -Practical Rabbit Keeping) 
19 



This theory is disputed, however, by the fact that it also 
exists in China and was later introduced into Continental 
Europe as the "Russian Rabbit," "Egyptian Smut," "Chi- 
nese," "Antwerp," etc., and it was not until the Englishman 
took hold of the breeding of this variety that it received the 
name "Himalayan." 

The color of the Himalayan's markings should be rich, 
velvety black, free of all brown tinge. The markings should 
be on the nose, ears, feet and tail. The nose marking should 
be large, well rounded, and come well up the face between 
the eyes, clean cut and distinct. The ears should be entirely 
black and well covered with fur ; short, neat and tapering 
to the tips ; set fairly close together and not carried apart. 
The feet should be black right to the top of the legs and cut 
clean there. The tail should also be black. The eye should 
be pink, bright and bold. Eye-stain is a disqualification. 

The Himalayan should be snaky in shape (short and 
cobby rabbits should be heavily penalized), neat and small. 
The weight about five pounds. 

STANDARD OF POINTS 

EARS — Short, tapering and well set 15 

NOSE — Even and well up between eyes 15 

FRONT FEET — Long, slender and markings well up 15 

HIND FEET — To correspond, markings well up hocks. ... '25 

EYES — Bold, bright and pink 5 

TAIL— Neat, black all over 5 

SHAPE— Snaky 5 

COAT — Short, fine and pure white 5 

WEIGHT— About five pounds 5 

CONDITION 5 

BLUE IMPERIAL 

Miss Mabel Illingworth, of Brentwood, England, intro- 
duced this variety of rabbit to the fancy. This was in 1898. 
It was brought about in this fashion. She mated a blue Lop 
doe to a white Angora, which resulted in a litter of pink- 
eyed whites, blue-fawns and self blues of a dark shade. All 
had upright ears. She then mated one of these young blue 
does to a very heavily marked blue-fawn Dutch buck, from 
which she got blues, and blue-fawns ; some with white feet, 
noses or faces. She kept two all-blue does which she mated 

20 



to a newly purchased dark blue Dutch, and crossed and re- 
crossed until she "created" the beautiful Blue Ini])erial 
which now adorns the show bench. Her "standard of ex- 
cellence"' needs no elaboration. 




BLUE IMPERIAL, and its Originator (C A. House Rabbits and all About Them) 

STANDARD OF POINTS 

C( ) l,( ) R — An even dark blue over all 30 

SH.Al'E AND SIZE— Somewhat like the Belgian Hare; 
body long- and graceful, shoulders compact, back gradu- 

21 



ally rising tu haunches, which should he well rounded, 
tail long, head long and narrow, with neck of medium 
length; weight, when full grown, over six pounds, but 
not to exceed seven pounds 

LEGS AND FEET— Clean and straight, fine in bone, with 
dark toenails 

RARS- — Between four and live inches long, well covered 
with fur, round at the tips, carried erect and fairly close 
together 

EYES — Large, bright, deep l)lue in color, matching the fur.. 

COAT — Thick, soft and glossy, lying close to skin 

CONDITION— Healthy, clean, firm and hard in flesh 



30 

5 



10 

15 




IDEAL FLEMISH GIANT RABBIT DOE ^C. A. House- Rabbils and all About Them) 



FLEMISH GIANT 



This, the lari^est exhibition \ariet\' ot ral)l)it. i,s a native 
of Flander.s, the lowland.s of Bel,i.;ium. 

The Patagonian, from which the Flemi.'^h Giant was 
evolved, was bred in grey, lirown-grev and l)lack. Xrnv we 
ha\e the black, steel-grey and wliite. 

The name "Flemish (liant" was manifestl}- gi\en this 
\ariety l^ecause of its size, which is the principal point 
sought for in its breeding. Does weighing 21 pounds and 
bucks weighing 15 pounds have appeared on the show 
])ench, btit they are a rarity. 

22 



The head should he stout, full antl sha])ely — "the l)ull-d()i; 
t}'pe of head" — resting- on the dew-lap of doe, which should 
he large as possible in the Flemish. 

There has been increasing inclination among fanciers to 
breed pure black Flemish Giants. The most favorite color, 
however, is the steel-grey, the production of which has 
caused size and weight to be neglected. This may not be 
worthy of criticism, moreover, as the two should go hand 
in hand in the breeding of fine specimens of Flemish Giants. 
As a consequence, to produce size and weight, black and 
any-other-color classes have been demanded by the fanc}-. 




FLEMISH GIANT HEADS — On the left length and fineness, which are not desirable: on the right 
stoutness and strength, the bulldog type of head that is so much desired. 

(C. A. House— Rabbits and all About Them) 

The color, whatever it may be, shoidd be clear and bright 
all over the rabbit, including the feet, shoulders, sides, hind- 
quarters and thiohs. EXCEPT the belly, which should be 
white, but the white should not be visible when the rabbit 
is in position for judging. The tail should match the body 
ctjlor on top, and the white belly color underneath. 

Putty nose, white toes, lop ears are disqualifications. 

23 



STANDARD OF POINTS 
Steel Grey 

SIZE AND WEIGHT— Bucks shall not be less than eleven 
pounds and does not less than thirteen pounds; size 
shall be considered irrespective of weight 30 

COLOR — Dark steel grey, with even or wavy ticking over 
the whole body, head, ears, chest and feet alike, except 
belly and under tail, which shall be white. Any grey, 
steel, sandy or other shade on belly or under tail, except 
a streak of grey in each groin, shall be penalized accord- 
ing to quality of competing specimens 20 

BODY — Large, roomy, squarely and heavily built; broad 
fore and hind quarters. Does shall have a dewlap, evenly 
carried IS 

LEGS AND FEET— Shall be strong in bone, large and 

straight i S 

HEAD AND EARS— Head shall be large, full and shapely; 
eye bold and dark brown in color; ears erect and mod- 
erately thick 10 

CONDITION — Full short coat, firm in flesh and free from 

cold 10 

Any Other Self Color 

Same points as Steel Grey, except as to color, which may be 
any solid color. 

ANGORA 

The Angora ral)l>it. with its hnig, rieec\' tresses, is in a 
class to itself. It is just the contrary to nearly all other 
varieties of rahbits, which, as a rule, require as short and 
close a coat as possible. It is supposed to have been origi- 
nally found in Persia and Asia Minor, where also other 
long-haired animals, such as goats, sheep and cats are said 
to have originated. From thence they drifted into Switzer- 
land and Belgimn. where the peasants reared them ])rin- 
cipally for their wool, and later for use b}- the furriers. 

It is bred in a number of colors, the most ]>rominent of 
which is white. The other colors, (if which few are ])red, 
are Blue, Black. Grey and Fawn. 

The coat should be uniformly long and the (|ualil} should 
he like fine, soft wool, and "not in any wav open or cot- 
tony." so that when the rabl)it is properly brushed it will 
have the appearance of a huge snowl)all. as the head is 
practicall}' hidden from \iew. The ears should be short. 

24 



thick ami erect, well coxered with hair, with tufts on the 
extreme ends. I'he le.qs and feet shotild be welil covered 
with long" hair, commonly called "well furnished." The 
head should be large and well rottnded and a generous 
quantity of long hair should appear between and behind the 
ears. An Angora with a narrow-skulled head shcntld be 
heaviily penalized. 

It is a recognized fact that the constant annoyance in 
faithful brushing" has a tendency to keep down the size of 
the Angora. This is also attributed to the great amotmt of 




ANGCRA RABBIT (A. C. Westley i 

strength going" to the length of coat. .\nd while size is 
therefore difficult to attain, stress should l)e laid on requir- 
ing" cobby-shaped rabbits. 

The eyes should be deep pink, large, bright and bold. 
The tail should l)e long and covered with long wool. 

Unless the Angora is in good condition, its general Cjuali- 
fiscations will be correspondingly diminished. The coat 
must be clear of all mats or cots. 

25 



STANDARD OF POINTS 

\\( )( )l^ — 'IV'xturc as silky as pussihle 30 

Length and Quality: Evenly thick all over (not to he 

matted ) -3 

FROXT — Full and prominent 10 

EARS — Short, well woolled and tufted 10 

SIZE AND SHAPE . . 15 

CONDITION— Clean, well fed. healthy and well -roomed.. 10 




TAN RABBIT (C. A House) 



BLACK AND TAN— BLUE AND TAN 



Tlie 'I'aii rabbit is one (,f the se\-eral varieties which ha\-e 
been introditced in the past t\vent}'-h\e years, [t made its 
appearance on tlic show bench in i88(). In 1891 the first 
clul:) was formed for its ad\ancement ; but it was not until 
U)02 tliat real ])roi_'ress was made in introducing- this variety 
int( 1 !>( )])ular fa\-or. 

The descri])tion of the IDE.XL Tan, lUack or Blue, as 
L;i\en by the Tan Rabbit Club, is as follows (except as to 
cohii", the Blue is the same as Black where mentioned) : 

C()L<)1\ — No other color but lUack and Tan (or Blue 
and Tan). iNu white or foreign color amongst either l)lack 
or tan. The color, both in the black and the tan, should 
reach well to the skin. 

26 



l)TvSlM<TT',U'rir)N ni- lU.ACK (Tx-dy Cnl.,i-) and TAX 
(Markings) — 'J'lie head and cliccks to be black, that colnr 
reaching' right up to the nose ])oint, l)Ut with a ring of tan 
round each eye (eye circles). The shoulders (except im- 
mediately behind the ears), saddle, back, rump, sides and 
upper part of tail, black. All should be free from brindling 
except sides, and sides of rump, which should l)c thickly 
laced with long tan hairs (side l)rindling"). Tlic nostrils, 
jowl, chest, belly, flanks and under j^art of tail should be 
one solid mass of deep golden tan, inclining to red or ma- 
hogany tint; brightness of tan to be of greater importance 
than actual tint. The tan should be quite free from any 
mixture of soot or body color. The shoulders or neck, im- 
mediately behind the ears, should be tanned ; wide near the 
ears and tapering to a tine point towards l^ack, thus form- 
ing a triangle. This shcuild be large enough to l)e i)artly 
seen, even when the rabbit's head is up. From the base of 
the triangle, near the ears, the tan should descend, and. if 
possil:)le, meet the tan on the chest, thus forming a kind of 
band or collar around the neck. At the root of the ears, 
viewed from the front, two tan spots, known as "Pea 
Spots," should be seen ; the larger these the l)etter. 

EARS — Short, fine. l)tit not papery; carried erect, and 
close together. Outside, jet l)lack. well covered with fur. 
Inside, faced with tan all around (if the whole insides are 
tanned, so much the better). Ears free from white tii)s. 
white hairs or ])rindling. 

HIND LEGS — Rather short, and of medium thickness. 
The otiter part of the leg, reaching from foot to rumit. black ; 
inner part rich tan. '^Phe dixision lietween l)lack and tan 
should form an unl)roken line right up the leg, free from 
raggedness. ^^he tan on inner side to be qtiite free from 
s])i)ts, pencilling or l)ars of black. Toes whollv tanned. 

KRONT LEGS— The lower front part black; as free 
from brindle as ])ossible. The hinder ])arts and toes wholly 
tan:ied. 

SHAPE — The shorter and more cobb\ in l)uil(l the l)et- 
ter. 

WEIGHT ()!• ADULT— Three to four and one-half 
pounds. 

27 



COAT — Fairl_y short, laying- well to the l)ody, with a silky 
feel to the hand. 

STANDARD OF POINTS 

BLACK (or BLUE— in BLUE AND TANS), dense and 

sound lo 

TAN— Deep rich 15 

TRIANGLE 5 

FEET— Hind 10 

FEET— Front S 

CHEST, FLANKS AND BELLY 10 

NOSTRILS, EYES AND JOWL 5 

EARS — Outer and inner margins ." 5 40 

EARS — Short and black (except where noted otherwise).... 10 

SHAPE— Dutch 10 

EYE— Full (Black in Black-and-Tans: Blue in Blue-and- 

Tans ) 5 

CONDITION 10 




NEW ZEALAND RED DOE (From Domestic Pels. Julius R. Biiggs. owner) 

THE NEW ZEALAND RED 

The New Zealand Red is the only one of the rahbit fam- 
ily that has been evolved in America. From what crosses 
it was made is not known, l)ut from the si)irit in which it is 
received by fanciers all over the country it is destined tc^ 
become one of the standard varieties and one of the most 
])o]nilar in America. \\'hile it is spoken of mostly as a 
"utility" rabbit, its color and shape are cons])icuous by their 
beauty. Disqualihcations : Lopped or fallen ear, crooked 
feet, other than hazel eyes, wry tail. 1 )oes to ha\c dew-lap 
e\eiil}- carried. 

28 



STANDARD OF POINTS 
(Official Standard of National New Zealand Red Club) 

COLOR — Even reddish huff, carried well down sides with 
whitish under body 

WEIGHT AND SHAPE 

HEAD — Medium and shapely, with large, bright hazel eyes; 

EARS — Erectly carried, medium thick. 5>1 inches long, free 
from ticking; Head and Ears to match the body color.. 

LEGS — Medium heavy boned, front feet solid reddish buff; 
hind feet red as possible 

CONDITION— Eirm in flesh and close-coated 

OEEICIAL WEIGHT— 4K^ pounds at three months; 6 
pounds at five n^.onths; 8 pounds at eight months; n 
pounds at ten months; lo pounds at twelve months. 



30 
30 



13 
10 




GERMAN GIANT DAPPLE C. A. House-Rabbits and all Aboul Them) 

UTILITY RABBITS 

German Giant Dapple Rabbit — Broken Color Flemish — Heavy- 
weight Belgian — Flemish-Belgian Cross 

WEIGHT— (Over TEN pounds) 40 

BODY — Large, roomy and broad fore and hindquarters.... _'5 

LEGS AND EEET — Strong in bone, large and straight.... 13 

HEAD .\ND EAi^S— Head large, full and shapely; l-.Yl'. 

bold; EARS erect and n oderately thick 10 

CONDITKj.X — I'ull short coat, firm in flesh, and free from 

cold 10 

29 



THE CAVY 

(Courtesy The Pet Stock World Company, Baltimore) 
HABITAT— DESCRIPTION 

The cavy, or ouinea pig, as it is commonly known, is the 
name applied to several South American rodent animals 
included in the "cavidae" family, but naturalists apply it, 
perhaps more properly, to the genus "cavia/" 

The cavy, in its wild state, is distributed over an exten- 
sive area of South America and is represented by several 
species: the more common being the aperea or cobaya (rest- 
less cavy) of Brazil ; the Bolivian cavy, bolk'iensis, found 
at great elevations in the Andes Mountains ; the Brazilian 
rock-cavy, caz'ia rupestris, characterized by its short blunt 
claws, and the Peruvian cavia cutleri, which is supposed to 
have been tamed by the Incas, the reigning aristocratic and 
priestly caste of Ancient Peru, between 1240 and 1523. This 
theory seems quite plausible when we consider the marvel- 
ous devlopment of the Llama which is accredited to the 
Incas, who regarded this animal as royal property, and 
almost as sacred as to India its white elephant. 

The early history of the cavy is so veiled in mystery that 
it is questionable whether our common guinea pig de- 
scended from the specie known as caz'ia porcellus or cavia 
aperea of Brazil, the cavia cobaya, or the Peruvian cavia 
cutleri. Its introduction into Europe after the conquest of 
Peru by the Spaniards warrants the conclusion that it must 
have been the pet of the remarkable peoples that inhabited 
the fabled gold-laden country of the Andes. 

The name "guinea pig" appears to be a misnomer of un- 
known origin, some authorities conjecturing that it is a 
'corruption of guinea-pig ; others that it was derived from 
the association with the English coin "guinea," for which 
it is said to have been sold in England during the sixteenth 
and seventeenth centuries ; and still others that the word 
"guinea" merely signifies foreign. 

Because of its great fecundity and the ease with which it 
yields to experiment the fancier has taken a keen interest 
in this little creature, and since the middle of the nineteenth 
century wonderful strides ha\'e l)een made in i)erfecting it 

30 



to the standard whicli man thinks Nature shouhl have 
adopted in its natural hiw of selection. From the vari- 
colored wild animal the patient fancier, aided by "Father 
Time," has produced a dozen distinct colors and combina- 
tions of the rarest hues, as well as the most freakish abnor- 
malities, from Nature's standpoint, in its shape and length 
of coat. It has risen from its insignificance and humble 
wandering" life among aquatic plants in marshy districts, 
and the crags in the mountain sides of South America, to 
the distinction of being groomed and petted by the aristoc- 
racy of the British Empire and other leaders of society 
♦:hroughout the civilized world. 

VARIETIES 

This subject is one that should stand foremost in our 
mind's eye. Too many of us forget the IDEAL, or the 
standard of perfection, which we should follow as our 
guide, and instead dote on some particular shade of color, 
shape or setting of ears, or "bufifalo" shoulders, and forget 
the AVERAGE of all the points for which we should strive. 



MIN0QUARTER9 




CHtST 
FORE FEET 



MIND rtlJl SIDE or BODY 

IDEAL ENGLISH CAVY (Fur and Feather) 

ENGLISH 

The structure of the English cavy is described by Mr. 
House as follows: "The English cavy must l)e cobby. Its 
liead large and chubby, with a good Roman nose; the eyes 
should be bold, l)right and ]jrominent ; the neck short, with 

31 



great depth of slioulder; the l)ack broad and massive, with 
well-formed hindquarters ; the ears should be well set on, 
and droop gracefully, not enough to be styled umbrellas, 
but just a nice, well-turned droop. Prick ears give a rat- 
like appearance to the head. The coat should in all varie- 
ties be short, perfectly smooth, and very soft and silky to 
the touch." 

In this variety we have, at present, six self or solid colors : 
black, red, cream, white, chocolate, and blue. The last two 
colors are still in their infancy, although considerable prog- 
ress has l)een made in perfecting the same. 




DUTCH MARKED CAVY (T. A. Manin, Jr.) 

In the broken, or \'ari-colored, are the tortoise-shell (black 
and red), tortoise-shell and white (black, red and white), 
Hutch, Golden Agouti, Silver Agouti, Himalayan, and 
Brindle .\ steady advance is also being made in produc- 
ing such combinations as agouti, red and white; ch(KX)late, 
red and white ; and cinnamon colored. These, when even- 
tually perfected, will create quite an interest, as they are 
most difficult to produce. 

The BLACK cavy should l)e of the intense blackness of 
the Raven, full of lustre, with a fine, sleek coat. It is an 
easy matter to obtain a good outer coat, but the deep black 
color should extend to the skin. 

The RED cavy is described by some as a "rich. I^right 
orange," and by others as a "tomato red." The greatest 
care should be exercised to keep out the mahogany color. 

32 



The CREAM should l)e just as its name indicates. The 
Englishman calls it "Devonshire" cream. It should not be 
too dark, as many of the creams are too near an orange 
color, rather than cream. 

The WHITE should be snowy white, with white ears 
and pink eyes. Being albinos, they almost invariably breed 
true to color, and when so bred they usually have very 
pretty ears. But when crossed with a dark-colored pig the 
ears will have a dirty appearance. This should be avoided. 

The CHOCOLATE cavy should be the color of a fresh 
cake of chocolate ; uniformly colored over entire body, in- 
cluding ears, feet and toenails. The color should extend 
down the full length of the hair, right to the skin. 

The BLUE is not only the latest color produced in the 
self varieties, but the least perfected as well. The shades 
thus far presented are too slaty, and appear to be no more 
than faded l)lack. When finally perfected this will be one 
of the most beautiful colors obtainable in cavies. 




TORTOISE AND WHITE CAVY (C. A. House) 

The TORTOISE-SHELL is a rarity in the United 
States, and in fact I learn that it is not as popular in Eng- 
land as the TORTOISE-SHELL AND WHITE. In the 
former the colors should be red and black, while in the 
latter white is added. There should be absolutely no brin- 
dling of colors, that is to say, intermixing, and the patches 

33 



should be as numerous and uniform as possil^le. The tor- 
toise-shelil and white may have a one, two or three-colored 
face. 

The DUTCH and HIMALAYAN should be marked simi- 
lar to the rabbits of the same colors. The former has been 
bred for a longer period than the latter, hence has reached 
a higher state of perfection. The "Ideal Dutch Cavy" illus- 
trated herein gives an excellent idea as to the beauty of this 
little creature if it could be perfectly produced. In the 
Himalayan all ends should be of some solid color other than 
white, while the rest of the l^ody should be snowy white, 
free from brindling. 

AGOUTI is the name applied to the variety whose color 
has been copied from the wild Agouti, or "Cotia," in Portu- 
guese, native of Brazil. The wild agouti and cavy are not 
related, only the color of the former having attracted the 
inventive and imitative eye of the fancier. This variety 
made its first appearance in the Crystal Palace Show. 
London, in 1888. It is l^red in two combinations, golden 
and grey, or silver. The former should be of a rich golden 
brown, while the latter a silvery grey, both evenly ticked 
on top, sides, chest and feet, but void of ticking on belly. 
In the golden agouti the belly should be rich, deep red ; 
while in the silver agouti a pearl grey color should be 
attained. 

STANDARD OF POINTS 

ENGLISH— SELFS 

COLOR — Solid and carried down to the roots of the hair, 

ears and feet: must match the body color 25 

EARS — Color to match body, shapely and well carried 15 

EYES— Large, bold 10 

SHAPE — Short, cobl>y body, deep broad shoulders, Roman 

nose 20 

FEET — Sound in color, to match body 10 

COAT— Short and silky 10 

CONDITION 10 

ENGLISH— TORTOISE-SHELL 

PATCHES— Clear and distinct 45 

EYES — Large and bold 10 

COAT— Short and silky 10 

SIZE, SHAPE and CONDITION— Similar to SELFS 20 

COLOR — Black and Red, equally distributed in distinct 

patches, the smaller and more uniform the lictter 15 

34 



ENGLISH— TRI-COLOR 

(Tortoise and White and any combination of three colors) 

I'A'l'CHES — Clear and distinct 25 

DISTRIBUTION — Equal; placing of patches uniform 10 

COLOR of each patch distinct without Ijrindlins^- 20 

SHAPE— vSimilar to Selfs H 

EYES AXU EARS— Similar to Selfs to 

CONDITION AND COAT ro 

SIZE 10 

ENGLISH— HIMALAYANS 

NOSE MARKINGS, well carried up to eye IS 

FEET MARKINGS, well carried up 10 

EAR MARKINGS, down to base 10 

DENSITY of markings 20 

PURITY OF WHITE 13 

EYES, large and bright, and of a reddish color 10 

SHAPE, similar to Selfs 10 

CnXDITK )\ 10 

ENGLISH— AGOUTI (GOLDEN AND SILVER) 

Same requirements as Self Cavy, except ticked-color. 
ENGLISH— BRINDLE (BLACK AND RED INTERMIXED) 

S;in:c ^(.•(lui^eIli^■nt^ as Self Ca\\'. 



Dotgm--m"arked 




IDEAL DUTCH (Fur and Feather) 

ENGLISH— DUTCH 

BLAZE AND CM KICKS 

CLEAN NECK 

SADDLE 

35 



UNDERCUT 

FEET STOPS 

EARS 

EYES 

COLOR 

SIZE, SHAPE. CONDITION (same as Selfs) 



lO 

15 
10 




PERUVIAN CAVY (Doubleday. Page & Co.) 

PERUVIAN 



The Permian Caw d()ul)tless originated in the same 
country as the Ent^lish Ca\ y. It is the common l)elief that 
its outward characteristics were dex'eloped in I-Vance. and 

36 



later inipruxed Ijy the En,L;lish pidiieer fanciers. Length of 
coat, head furnishing, and texture or silkiness of coat are 
the principal points for which the Peruvian admirer strives. 
The importance of these three characteristics may be appre- 
ciated when we consider that tifty-fi\e points out of a pos- 
sible hundred are allotted to them in the standard. The 
Peruvian is larger than the English or the Abyssinian, 
while the head alone is proportionately not so large as in 
the other varieties. The colors produced in this variety 
are the same as in the other two. 

STANDARD OF POINTS 

SWEEP — (Length of Rear Coat)— Of as uniform length 

over all as possible 15 

DENSITY OF COAT 15 

TEXTURE OR SILKINESS OF COAT 15 

SIDE SWEEP OF HAIR, as long as possible 15 

COLOR — (Selfs, free from stray hairs; Broken, as uni- 
formly colored as possible, according to classes) 10 

CONDITION 15 

HEAD FURNISHINGS— Fringe should fall well over face, 
and shoulders should be furnished that it falls in a 
thick mane 15 




ABYSSINIAN CAVY (T. A. Martin) 

ABYSSINIAN 



The Ain-ssinian. like the I'eruvian. did not derive its 
name 1)\- an\- geogra])hical associaticjn and luuli >ubtedl}' 
emanated from the same source as all other oavies. It has 
been steadily improved both in harshness of coat and the 

37 



number of rosettes, which are its principal characteristics. 
The more numerous the rosettes the better ; as many as 
fifteen, and rarely more, having been produced on a single 
cavy. Sixty points out of a hundred are devoted to rosettes, 
coat, and head furnishings, while only 20 points are allowed 
for size and shape. The attention to coat should, therefore, 
be paramount. 

STANDARD OF POINTS 

ROSETTES — Each to rise and radiate evenly all round 
from a clearly defined centre without any break or gap, 
and to be distributed regularly all over the body, the 
greater the number the better, providing that each is 
clear and distinct, without guttering or running into 
each other 25 

COAT — Short, harsh and wiry in texture, with erect mane 
running right down the back from shoulders to rump, 
and without flatness or softness of any kind; the scrufif 
or collar to stand erect and pass right round the shoul- 
der without a break 20 

COLOR — Clear, and bright, with plenty of lustre 10 

SHAPE — Short and cobby, not flat-sided; limbs well formed 
and closely set, without any narrowness or snippiness, 
with plenty of depth in shoulders and hindquarters 15 

HEAD — Wide, and of fair length; nose very prominent, 
with well-developed moustache, and covered with harsh, 
erect coat on cheeks 15 

EYE — Large, full and bright S 

CONDITION— Coat close ;nul thick, flesh firm and liard... 10 



w^- 




SILVER-AGOUTI ANGORA CAVY (T. A. Martin, Jr. ) 



PERUVIAN SILKIES (PSEUDO ANGORA) 

FACE AND HEAD — Same as smootli; short Roman nose.. 
EYES— Large, bold 

38 



20 
10 



EARS — Drooping, but not lopped lo 

LENGTH AND STRAIGHTNESS of hair 20 

TEXTURE AND DENSITY of hair 15 

SIZE 10 

CONDITION 5 

COLOR 10 



THE FANCY MOUSE 

The fancy mouse is a thiiiii' of recent creation and credit 
for its creation may be settled upon not more than a dozen 
fanciers. These earnest fanciers have evolved the most 
wonderful colors and markings, the most difficult results 
having been obtained by the English pioneer mouse fanciers. 

To Mr. \V. Maxey and a few^ contemporaries belong the 
credit for the beginning of the fancy in England. It was 
he who organized the National Mouse Club of England, 
which, in 1903, numbered over a hundred members, and 
which now has grown to hundreds, among which may be 
found the royalty as well as those in the humblest walks of 
life. The same year Mr. Anton Rottmueller, of Boston, 
imported America's first fancy mice. In the fall of the 
same year Dr. L. H. Wood, of Groton. Connecticut, im- 
ported about thirty varieties. Prof. Thomas Hunt Morgan, 
of Colum])ia University, then took them up and imported 
many rare specimens from Europe and proceeded to cross 
and recross them for experimental purposes, which, of 
course, ruined their original types, but resulted in much 
scientific research and knowledge. 

During all of this time, and as far back as 1890, colored 
mice had been sold in New York as pets for children, but 
just when they were actually introduced into the i^et stock 
emporiums is a matter of conjecture. In 1898, Mr. S. Chi- 
chester Lloyd, of Brooklyn, commenced breeding colored 
mice, since which time he has evolved several varieties, 
principal amongst v^hich are the chocolate and white, yellow 
and white, tan, silver and white, etc. 

Fancy mice were prominent in this country as far back 
as 1904, when quite an exhibit was held at Madison Square 
Garden, New York. Among the exhibitors were such per- 
sonages as Miss Christine Spencer, of Staten Island; Dr. 
L. II. Wood, of Groton, Connecticut; Dr. E. B. Southwick, 

39 



City Entomologist of New York; Prof. Charles Ellard, of 
Great Neck, Long Island. It was during this year also that 
strenuous efforts were made to push the mouse fancy, but 
little ])rogress was made. In this work were interested 
not only those mentioned above, but such pioneer mouse 
fanciers as Miss Abliie E. C. Lathrop, of Granby, Massa- 
chusetts ; John Block, of New York ; and Mr. S. Chichester 
Lloyd, of Brooklyn, whose stud now numbered in the neigh- 
borhood of five thousand mice. Miss Lathrop held the 
office of Chairn"an of the Fancy Mouse Club of the Amer- 
ican Fur Fanciers' Association until 1914, when she was 
succeeded by Mr. Lloyd. 

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS 

MICE should be in length from seven to eight inches 
from tip of nt)se to end of tail; long head, not too finely 
pointed nose; large, bold and ])rominent eyes; large and 
tulip-shaped ears, free from creases and carried erect, with 
plenty (»f width between them. Body should be long and 
slim, and a trifle arched over loin ; racy in appearance. The 
tail, which should be free from kinks, should come well 
out of the back, and be thick at the root, gradually tapering 
like a whip-lash to a fine end, and of about the same length 
as the body of the mouse. The coat should be short, per- 
fectly smooth, glossy and sleek. 

RED mice should be of a rich golden hue, both top and 
under color, when self or solid colors. 

CHOCOLATE selfs .shcnild be the color of a cake of bit- 
ter chocolate. 

BLUE selfs should be a distinct shade of slate blue, not 
too dark to be mistaken for blacks, l)ut a pronouncedly dif- 
ferent color. 

BLACKS should be a very deep lustrous raven color and 
have no tan hairs or white feet or pied tails. 

SILVERS, whether pink-eyed or black-eyed; almost 
white, like the white smoke of a locomotive. 

WHITES must be ALL WHITE and not a yellowish 
tinge, whether with black or red eyes. 

CREAMS, whether pink or black eyed, must be of a very 
light shade of yellow, and no dark or light patches any- 
where on body. 

40 



PLUMS or PLUM-STLVERS must l)e a pronounced 
shade of color, about halfway between blue and chocolate, 
whether pink or red eyed. 

-NGOUTIS. whicli always have black eyes, must be rich 
brown ticked all over, with orange hairs. Rufus red in the 
under color. 

CINNAMON, or CINNAMON-BROWNS, should l)e 
rich brown ticked, with chocolate hairs, just the color of 
powdered cinnamon. 

GREY AGOUTIS should be about the color of a silver 
rabbit, ticked with brown or blue. 

SABLES may be in three shades — light, medium and 
dark ; the darker the better. From head to tail the color 
should l)e as near black as possible, shading gradually to 
rich gold or tan on the sides and underneath. The nose 
should be tan color and the hairs over the eyes tan also. 

BLUE AND TANS must be a rich slaty blue on top, 
with tan jowls, sides and underneath. 

BLACK AND TANS should be solid black on top, with 
a distinct dividing line on sides, jowls and feet where the 
tan should commence. These should also have two tiny 
tan specks over the eyes. 

CHOCOLATE AND TANS should be of a rich dark 
chocolate color on back shading to tan beneath. 

SILVER AND TANS should be a distinct silver color. 
as of a frosted silver pitcher on top, shading to deep fawn 
or red beneath. 

TORTOISE-SHELL should be red or yellow, with dis- 
tinct irregular patches of good black sprinkled over the 
body or face. Unless of distinct shade these mice are 
"sootv fawns" and merely miscolored yellows and have no 
value on the show bench. 

SABLE AND WHITE are sables with patches of white 
over the body. They are known as tri-colored mice, as they 
are distinctly marked with black, tan and white. The more 
white the better the specimen. 

TAN, SILVER AND WHITE are as near Dutch marked 
as possible, though not necessarily of this marking, having 
the saddle marking and hindquarters of a distinct silver 
shade with the under color red, while the ear and cheek 

41 



,THE TDEAL UOUSE 




1 Dutoh Marked 2 - Himalayan Marked 3 - Four Spotted Even Marked 

4 - Even Marked 5 - Six Spotted Even Mewked 6 - Seven Spotted Even - or Patched 

7 - Ten Patched Broken Marked 8 - Variegated 9 - Three Patched Bald-face 10 - Banded B«ld-fao* 

11 - Holtft^in Marked 12 - Bald-face 

IDEALS OF TWELVE VARIETIES OF MICE (S. Chichester Lloyd) 



42 



niarkin^is are deep golden red shadint;- to silver. The rest 
of the body sht)uld l)e \-ery white, the eyes black. 

SILVER GREYS, FAWNS, BLUES and BROWNS 
shoud be possessed of distinct color of the shades named 
ticked all over with white hairs. 

LILACS are nearly always pink-eyed and should su^i^est 
the shade of a lilac blossom. 

PINK-EYED BLUES should be a deep blue with crim- 
son eyes. 

BROKEN MARKED— Any of the foregoing colors with 
black eyes irregularly patched with color on a ground of 
pure white are known as broken marked. In these pied 
tails are permissible. 

Pink-eyed broken-marked mice, such as in lilac and 
white, silver-fawn and white, yellow and white, and cream 
and white, should be judged separately from black-eyed 
brokens and form a class by themselves. 

EVEN MARKED— These have the patches of color 
placed evenly over a ground of pure white. (See illustra- 
tions. ) They may be of any color or variety of colors, but 
markings must be very evenly placed. 

HARLEQUIN, PATCHED or DALMATIAN MARKED 
mice should have a large number of spots distributed at 
random over the body. The more spots the better the speci- 
men. They may be in any colors. 

DUTCH MARKED mice should be as near as possible 
like the Dutch-marked rabbit. The higher the saddle the 
better, all other points being equal. 

VARIEGATED mice should have tiny streaks of color, 
as well broken up as possible, running from head to foot 
and tail, all being connected by minute hair lines of color 
on white ground. They may be in any color. 

CLASSES AND STANDARD OF POINTS 



Color 

black-eyed Selfs 75 

I'ink-eyed Selfs 75 

Dutch marked ^5 

I'ink-eyed Brokens 75 

I Hack-eyed Brokens. patched and 

\ ariegated 25 10 65 

43 



Shape, Size, 




Condition 


Markings 


25 




25 




25 


50 


25 





Tri-colored or Tortoise and White. . 75 10 15 

Two-colored, without White 75 5 20 

Waltzing Mice. Black and White.. 25 70 5 

Waltzers, Self s 50 50 

Waltzers, any other two colors.... 50 50 

Egyptian Spiney Mice .. 100 

Kangaroo Mice . . 100 

Deer Mice 25 75 

Any other variety 50 25 25 

Judg-es will use their discretion in deducting from each 
set of points any vagaries in color, shape, size and markings, 
the mark for condition being quite important in the case 
of wild mice or Waltzers, which are generally shown in 
poor condition. 



RATS 

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS 

While the rat fancy has reached large proportions in 
England, little progress has been made in this country. It 
is encouraging, however, to note that Americans are gradu- 
ally awakening to the possibilities and beauties of the new 
varieties of rats which have recently been discovered, 
namely, yellows, creams, lilacs, blues and chocolates, and 
their broken colored brethren with ruby and black eyes. • 

Their tameness, sagacity and playful ways and their at- 
tachment to master or mistress makes a tame rat of beauti- 
ful color a most desirable pet, as well as the fact that a rat 
has absolutely none of that musky odor which is unfortu- 
nately one of the main drawbacks to the mouse fancy. 

Fancy rats, crude as they were at that time, were imported 
as far back as 1898 by Dr. E. B. Southwick. These were 
nothing more than the cross between the black and the 
white, and the cross of the common grey house rat with the 
albino. Miss Lathrop also bred many rats during this time, 
as did also Mr. Lloyd, all of whom imported some of the 
new varieties of yellow rats. 

An interesting feature of the rat fancy is the romantic 
mystery of the origin of the yellow rats. Scientists all over 
the world are wondering where those types came from, as 
the country of their nativity is unknown. They were caught 

44 



on some steamer sailins^- either from a tropical port or from 
a cold climate, which is not known, as the rat-catcher did 
not recall the name or nationality. The original buck was 
a deep orange color with rich crimson eyes and killed over 
twenty tame does befcire he was finally persuaded to breed. 
The yellow does had black eyes and bred once and then 
escaped. From their progeny came all the new types. It 
is also understood that a Dutch scientist evolved indepen- 
dently an orange rat with black eyes. 

The points to be considered in a rat are. mainly, color, 
condition of coat, tameness and freedom of disease such as 
snuffles, mange or eczema. 

WHITES should be clear white, wathout yellow tinge. 

AGOUTIS should be the same shade as the Agouti cavy. 

BLACKS (which are usually of a deep chocolate-black) 
should have a deep lustre. 

CHOCOLATES should be a pronounced color and not 
ofT-blacks. 

BLUES are what the English term Creams. Why they 
are called Cream in Europe is not known, except that they 
are offshoots from the solid yellow rat. They are light 
Maltese color, with black eyes. 

BLUES WITH PINK EYES— Same as above, with deep 
crimson eyes. 

MALTESE^ — Light blue in shade, with either black or 
red eyes. Color generally white underneath. 

YELLOWS, or Fawns as they are sometimes called, 
should be anything from a light canary to a deep golden 
orange, with either black or red eyes. 

BROKEN MARKED or HOODED RATS— These may 
be any of the above colors, with or without red eyes, marked 
as illustrated on white ground color. The white must be 
distinct and the striping along back solid thin pencil line 
with squarecut- hood. 

Rats having line along back marked with serrated edges 
or series of small separated spots are known as BROKEN 
MARKED. 

CREAM AND WHITE HOODED RATS are of light 
chocolate color marking on white. 

45 



CHOCOLATE AND WHITE HOODED RATS are of 
cocoa color on white. Deeper colors in these varieties 
should be striven for. 




IDEAL JAPANESE RAT (S. Chichester Uoyd > 

CLASSES AND STANDARD OF POINTS 



Pink-eyed Selfs 

Black-eyed Selfs 

Pink-eyed Hooded . . . . 

Pink-eyed Brokens . . . . 

Black-eyed Hooded . . . 

Black-eyed Brokens . . . 

Any other variety of 
WILD OR FANCY 
RAT 



Color 


C 


ondition 


Tameness 


Mark 


50 




25 


25 




50 




25 


25 




50 




10 


15 


25 


50 




10 


15 


25 


50 




10 


15 


25 


50 




10 


15 


25 



50 



30 



15 



As fanciers now have something" upon which to work in 
the newly discovered yellows and orange, chocolate, mal- 
tese and blues, the severest penaltv should be imposed upon 
ANY OTHER THAN TAME RATS, as no judge relishes 
the vicious attack of the formerly shown wild varieties, and 
the only necessity on the part of the breeder is daily han- 
dling of all rats. 

ALL RAT CAGES USED FOR EXHIBITION PUR- 
POSES MUST BE PLAINLY MARKED FOR THE 
JUDGE'S information, as to the nature or disposition of 
the occupant, as "TAME," "SEMI-WILD," "VICIOUS," 
"WILD," or other information as to the best manner of 
handling to judge, if necessary. THIS IS IMPORTANT. 

Judges are cautioned that in judging mice or rats, par- 
ticularly rats, the only safe method is to grasp them half- 

46 



way u]) the len,qth oi the tail and swing- quickly to the arm 
or wrist, allowing the four feet to rest thereon. Do not 
keep suspended in air any longer than absolutely necessary, 
as rats can climb their own tails. Also, if taken hold of 
too near the tip. the tail-skin will pull off. 




IDEAL EXHIBITION SHIPPING BOX (C. A. House Rabbits and all About Them) 

Rabbit Exhibition Box. — Ventilation is provided for by the holes bored in the ends and along the lop of 
each side. A false end is fixed inside about one-half inch from each end, to prevent draughts. 

EXHIBITING 

Exhibiting is the result of the efforts of the fancier in 
following the advice of his older l^rethren ; the rules laid 
down for the housing, breeding, and feeding of his stock ; 
and his own practical experience. It is the zenith of his 
aml:)itions and the tell-tale of his success or failure. Tem- 
Ijorary misfortune on the show bench should not discour- 
age the novice, for it may be merely his inal^ility to judge 
his own stock, in making his various matings. or lack of 
experience in any one of the se\'eral departments of the 
pet stock fancy, that causes him to be l)eaten. Success is 
bound to come to the observing breeder, coupled with com- 
mon-sense methods. The ambitious fancier will visit the 
shows and acquaint himself, by kindly inquiry of the judges 
and well-informed veterans, wherein his shortcomings are 
manifest, lie will return to his little family of ((uadrupeds 
and appl}- the knowledge thus conveyed to him. and when 

47 



the next season returns, to his utter amazement, the laurels 
find their way to this patient, persevering lover of industry. 

His success should not tempt him to over-exhibit or to 
greedily seek to "corner" all the prizes on his several 
varieties, for after a few shows his stock will succumb to 
the strain of travel, rough handling, close and foul con- 
finement, unsystematic feeding, and his season is closed. 
On the other hand, he should plan his exhibits so that sufii- 
cient time elapses between events to allow the show speci- 
mens to recuperate so that when their turn again arrives 
they may be able to meet the jealous pride of some fellow- 
animal. 

The cautious fancier will provide himself with a good 
conditioning mixture, and feed only the most appetizing 
foods at these times, both before and after each show. The 
brush and silk or chamois skin will here demonstrate its 
usefulness, for the critical eye of the judge manifests his 
true sport by showing his preference for the well-groomed 
specimen. Many fanciers even supplement the brush and 
silk with a good rub with a whisp of hay and later with the 
hand, which brings the gloss to the surface. In fact, there 
are some who feed small quantities of flaxseed meal, which 
renders the hair oily and facilitates the i)roduction of the 
shiny coat. 

In the case of white specimens, washing a few days be- 
fore a show might not be amiss. 

When shipping animals to distant cities for exhibition 
purposes, do not use any old store box that may be avail- 
able. Such boxes are not only irritating to the show at- 
tendants and may subject the animals to careless treatment 
as a consequence, but are subject to improper handling by 
railroad employees. A little time and judgment may be 
well spent in making a case out of light wood, with a com- 
partment for each specimen, good ventilation, and carrying 
handles. Each compartment should have a bountiful sup- 
ply of hay before shipping, and. in addition, a carrot or two, 
and a piece of stale bread. Also, see that the exhibits are 
shipped in good time, so that all time and trouble in their 
rearing and preparation may not be wasted by their late 
arrival and consequent elimination from competition. 

48 



SHOW RULES OF THE AMERICAN FUR 
FANCIERS' ASSOCIATION 

1. Permission may be granted to all exhibition or show 
committees to hold shows under these rules by application 
to the Governing Board, through the Secretary-Treasurer, 
the application to guarantee the observance of these rules. 

2. Every specimen entered in competition must be the 
bona-fide property of the exhibitor and must be entered in 
the name of the owner or owners, otherwise entry fee and 
prize money shall be forfeited. 

3. The Association shall be assured that at all A. F. F. A. 
shows a responsible handler is in charge, who shall super- 
vise and be held responsible for the proper penning and 
care of stock and its proper return. Handling of stock shall 
not be permitted except by handlers, the Judge approved by 
the Governing Board, or the owner. Judges shall not un- 
pack and cage any exhibition specimen. 

4. Any exhibitor interfering with or interrupting the 
Judge during the process of judging or making himself ob- 
noxious to Superintendent or Judge before or after judging 
shall forfeit entry fee and all awards and prizes on stock 
entered by him at the show, or if without entry and a mem- 
ber of the Association, shall be disciplined by the Govern- 
ing Board in such manner as may be deemed proper. Dis- 
qualified exhibitors shall be reported by the Judge to the 
Secretary of the Association for appropriate action of the 
Board. 

5. Any exhibitor may protest in writing for palpable dis- 
honesty or fraudulent practice of any Judge or Judges in 
connection with classes in which he may l)e personally in- 
terested, which protest must be handed to the Secretary of 
the SHOW before the close of the show. The protest will 
be accompanied by two dollars, which shall be forfeited if 
protest is not sustained by the Governing Board, but will 
be refunded if sustained. 

6. No judge shall exhibit in any class he is assigned to 
pass upon at any show. 

7. Judging shall be by COMPARISON. 

8. Exhibitors may have individual specimens scored by 
the Association Standard upon payment of 25 cents for 

49 



each specimen. 'Requests for scoring must be included on 
entry sheet at time oi submitting entry. ' 

9. The American Fur Fanciers' Standard of Perfection 
shall be the authority on all points involved in the judging 
of specimens under these rules. Any judge wilfully deviat- 
ing therefrom shall be disqualified by the Governing Board, 
upon proof thereof signed by at least three exhibitors and 
the Secretary of the Show. 

10. Any exhibitor of pet stock showing or competing 
under these rules who may not ])e a member of this Asso- 
ciation shall submit and hereby agrees to submit to the 
jurisdiction of the American Fur Fanciers' Association, and 
shall be treated in like manner as any member. The pres- 
ence of exhibits shall constitute compliance herewith and 
acquiescence with these rules. 

11. SENIOR class is for all rabbits, cavies and mice not 
included in the JUNIOR class. JUNIOR class is for all 
RABBITS under six (6) months old, and cavies under four 
(4) months old WHEN EXHIBITED. BROOD class is 
open to does and sows with litters under ten weeks and over 
three weeks" old. In case of doubt as to age of specimen, 
the Judge shall exercise his discretion and shall have the 
advantage of the doubt in passing upon same. 

12. All specimens shall be exhibited in their natural con- 
dition. 

13. When specials are offered for the best of a variety 
or the best animal in a show, all first prize animals in that 
particular variety, or, if offered for the best animal of any 
variety in the show, all prize winners shall be considered, 
and the one scoring the highest general average, without 
regard to breed or variety, shall be awarded the prize. 

SPECIAL AWARDS on sweepstakes shall be made on 
points, first prize to count 6; second. 4; third. 3; fourth. 2. 
and fifth, i. Pens to count double. The total number of 
points won by an exhibitor to be MULTIPLIED by the 
number of specimens exhibited in his variety. This grand 
total to be the number of points counted in the competition. 

14. The term BREEDER is defined by OWNERSHIP 
of FEMALE at the time of mating. 

15. Classes shall be provided for Senior Male. Senior 
Female, Junior Male, and Junior Female, for the following 
varieties : 

50 



RABBITS 

Belgian Hares New Zealand 

Angora, White Dutch, Black 

Angora, A. O. C. Dutch, Blue 

Himalayan Dutch, Steel 

Flemish Giant (Steel Dutch, A.O.C. 

Grey) 
Flemish Giant, A.O.C. English, A.O.C 
Black or Blue and Tan English Lop 



French Lop 
Polish 
Silver Grey 
Silver Fawn 
Silver, A.O.C. 
English, Black or Blue Blue Imperial 

Any other variety 



Rabbit Utility Department 

Best Utility Rabbit for table purposes. 

CAVIES 

Separate Classes Will Be Provided for English, Abyssinian and 

Peruvian 



Self Black 
Self White 
Self Red 
Self Cream 



Self Chocolate 
Golden Agouti 
Silver Agouti 
Tortoise and White 



Black Dutch 
Red Dutch 
Any other color 



Angora Cavies — Any Self color, and any Broken color 

MICE 



Black-eyed Selfs 
Pink-eyed Selfs 
Dutch Marked 
Pink-eyed Broken 
Black-eyed Broken, 
patched or varie- 
gated 



Pink-eyed Selfs 
Black-eyed Selfs 
Pink-eyed Hooded 



Tortoise and White 
Two-colored, without 

White 
Waltzing, Black and 

White 
Waltzers, Self 



RATS 

Pink-eyed Broken 
Black-eyed Hooded 
Black-eyed Broken 



Waltzers. any other 

two colors 
Egyptian Spiney 
Kangaroo 
Deer Mice 
Any other variety 



Any other variety of 
Wild or Fancy Rat 
not enumerated in 
Standard or newly 
discovered 



i6. The show rules of any fair, show, or other exhibition 
in which pet stock is entered in competition under these 
rules shall govern where not in conflict herewith. 



51 



INDEX 

Page 

FOREWORD I 

THE FANCY RABBIT 3 

English Lop 3 

French Lop 5 

Belgian Hare 6 

Silver 8 

English II 

Dutch 14 

Havana 16 

Polish 17 

Himalayan 19 

Blue Imperial 20 

Flemish Giant 22 

Angora 24 

Black and Blue-and-Tan 26 

New Zealand Red 28 

UTILITY RABBITS -. 29 

German Giant Dapple 

Broken Color Flemish 

Heavyweight Belgian 

Flemish-Belgian Cross 

THE CAVY "30 

Habitat — Description 30 

Varieties 31 

English 31 

Peruvian 36 

Abyssinian ^y 

Peruvian Silkies ( Pseudo Angora) 38 

THE FANCY MOUSE AND RAT 39 

EXHIBITING 47 

SHOW RULES, American Fur Fanciers' Association 49 



52 



EARL G. TORREY 

PRINTER 
Washington, d. c. 



1 



